What Is an Energy Audit?
A general energy audit and checklist is used to examine the energy consumption of a building or dwelling to identify factors that unnecessarily increase energy consumption. During an audit, information is gathered and evaluated to make meaningful recommendations that will lead to reduced costs.
Since 5 December 2015, regular energy audits have been mandatory. These energy audits must be carried out every four years. This is to check whether the energy consumption for companies is decreasing. Energy audits are regulated according to the DIN EN 16247-1 standard in the EU. An energy audit can be carried out as an alternative to certified energy or
environmental management system.
This article is about:
1. What to check with an energy audit checklist
2. Peform energy audits better with digital checklists
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What to Check With an Energy Audit Checklist
A thorough energy audit is used to control energy consumption and costs. At the same time, it ensures that the essential energy flows are disclosed and thus energy potentials can be identified. In order to ensure that sustainability goals can be met, energy audits are now legal requirements for landlords in many countries. In the UK, for example, they are known as EPCs and are a legal requirement for most types of buildings. If a building's energy usage is deemed inefficient during an inspection, appropriate energy efficiency measures are to be implemented. The following aspects should be checked with an energy audit checklist:
1. Energy Consumption Habits
Make sure that:
- appliances are switched off after use.
- the lights stay off during the day.
- the thermostat is only adjusted up or down by 8 degrees, depending on the outside temperature.
2. Building Structure
Check the insulation on walls, floors and ceilings to ensure that heat or cold does not escape. Check gaps around doors, windows and vents, as well as openings between the interior and exterior of the building to see if they are draught proof.
3. Equipment & Devices
- Lighting - Energy-efficient options such as halogen bulbs, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) as well as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) can significantly reduce energy costs. Check the daily use of lighting systems and test whether they can be switched off in daylight.
- Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) - Check that an automatic thermostat is installed and working. This can be programmed to adjust the temperature for different times of the day and maximise efficiency. Check the air filters and advise if they need cleaning.
- Electrical appliances - Check that computers and monitors are energy efficient based on their model. Check the energy factor of the water heater (EF) and determine if replacing it can help reduce energy costs. Check that the refrigerator seals are in good condition, the temperature is at the correct setting and the coils are kept clean for maximum energy efficiency.
Perform Energy Audits Better With Digital Checklists
With Lumiform's mobile app, you can easily carry out the energy audit according to DIN EN 16247-1 via tablet or smartphone - online or offline. With the desktop software, you create checkpoints for your energy audit checklist. The app then guides you step by step through the audit without forgetting important queries. This significantly reduces the risk of quality loss and documentation errors.
In addition, clean and transparent documentation helps to comply with legal regulations as well as relevant energy management frameworks. Benefit from further advantages with Lumiform for your energy audit:
